Cities, County Must Cooperate

OPINION - 1 Working together - Regional action

January 4, 2004

Osceola County's destiny rests in its geography -- with regional assets and regional responsibilities. Leaders should be working together for the good not only of Osceola residents but also for the rest of Central Florida.

Fostering teamwork and encouraging common bonds is important if Osceola is going to have significant effect on regional issues. Whether it is funding for a regional trauma center or a countywide emergency communication system or economic development, growth or education, Osceola must continue working as one.

On the positive side, Osceola's leaders have shown they can work together. Officials agreed to allow the school district to go after a half-penny sales tax in March without risking revenue it already is receiving. The County Commission took a stand on growth by approving the highest school impact fees in the state. Economic development remains a priority.

However, in recent months, a disturbing trend emerged in relations. The cities and the county increasingly are at odds over how to grow. The situation involving Tupperware was particularly bad. Kissimmee was ready to annex a large swath of land that would have cost the county valuable impact fees to build roads.

This kind of bickering must stop.

For Osceola to move forward with creation of a top-notch quality of life for residents, the cities and county must ask themselves each time a decision arises: How is this good for all residents?

The answer must be specific and clearly in favor of the people who live here and pay taxes.

One specific goal the county and the cities should accomplish this year is to complete joint planning agreements. It's a good thing there are only two cities. The process with St. Cloud has been continuing for about two years. Kissimmee and the county are just getting started on a similar project.

Working at firming up boundaries and eliminating enclaves is important. That's one reason why St. Cloud's Stevens Plantation project makes sense. In addition to bringing in better, planned development, the project fills in a big piece of the city's "doughnut hole."

Everyone needs to figure out who will provide services -- and what kind of services are practical. Working together can provide needed answers.